Venus Williams shock claim about fatal car crash

The tennis champ has broken her silence on the extent of her involvement.
- byNew Idea

Jul
2017

BBC Sport

Venus Williams has spoken out about the fatal car crash she was involved in last month, denying all responsibility for Jerome Barson’s death.

In official court documents obtained by RadarOnline, the tennis champ states: “the injuries and/or damages to [Barson] were solely and/or proximately caused by the unreasonable failure of [Barson] to use an available and operation seat belt at the time of the accident.”

Williams – who is being sued by the estate of the 78-year-old man – also claimed that Barson “failed to adequately maintain and repair the vehicle… in a safe condition” prior to the incident which occurred near her Florida home on June 9.

Barson’s daughter Gassner-Dunayer filed the explosive wrongful death lawsuit on June 29, just one week after her father succumbed to the “traumatic injuries” he obtained when the car his wife was driving collided with the athlete's 4WD.

Gassner-Dunayer is reportedly seeking money for Barson’s medical and funeral expenses, as well as other damages.

In a post-match press conference, the 37-year-old previously broke down in tears when quizzed about the elderly man's tragic death.